Dinesh Karthik is aware that non-performance may result in him going off the radar but the wicket-keeper batsman says he would rather "embrace" the pressure rather than run away from it.
Karthik has been around Indian cricket for long but has failed to cement his place in the side. He has always been the man to fall back upon when established stars are rested.
"From where I sit, every tournament is important. One bad tournament and I will be way out. So, in every tournament I need to be at the top of my game and try to do as well as I can," Karthik said on the eve of the Twenty20 Tri-Series final against Bangladesh.
"There is pressure but at where I am sitting, I need to be able to handle that pressure. I need to embrace it rather than run away from it or use it as an excuse. For me every match is important," he added.
Karthik is abreast of the tough competition in the Indian cricket team and said he needs to take every chance that comes his way.
"Opportunities are few and far in between. The competition in the Indian team is so strong that every time you get an opportunity you need to try and give your best. More importantly, I have to perform," he said.
"I am trying to do well in every match. As of now from where I am, every match is important and I am trying to do my best."
India are up against a gutsy Bangladesh in the final on Sunday but Karthik said they are well prepared to take on the Tigers.
"Everybody has got a decent hit. Up to no. 6 everybody has batted. So this tournament has been good as everybody has been tested and I think we have done a fair job till now. Going into the final a lot of bases are covered for sure," he said.
India start as favourites against Bangladesh on Sunday, but Karthik refused to take the 'Tigers' lightly.
"As a team they Bangladesh are known for fighting spirit. They really try hard. They are a team which achieved Test status not many years ago and they propelled forward in all formats of the game," he said.
"They have done well for themselves. They are a very good team. I think we are trying to focus on our processes and routines, that has given us good results till now."
Spinners have been pretty successful in the tournament so far and Karthik said the key for a batsman against the slow bowlers is to have a positive frame of mind.
"So the good thing to do against spinners is to have a positive mindset and look to score runs in every ball.”